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Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sad News

Richard Bardos
1932-2013

August 21, 2013
The co-founder of Fluid Power Engineering, Dick Bardos, passed away today after a short illness. He had recently celebrated his 81st birthday.

Originally from Michigan, Dick moved to the Chicago area in 1963 to start Fluid Power Engineering with his original partner, Jim Murphy. Together, they built FPE. Over the decades, they nurtured the company with their talented direction as it became an industry leader in the region it serves. Later, Jim retired and Dick took over his share of the business to become the sole owner. After many golden years filled with sailing and other endeavors, Jim passed away in 2009, around a month prior to his ninetieth birthday.

Dick eventually moved into semi-retirement as his son, David and daughter Lori took over everyday operations. Dick and his lovely wife Ruthe split their time between Naples, Florida and their home in Illinois. For the past several years, they have enjoyed an active life filled with golf, family and friends. Meanwhile, Dick remained involved and engaged in the business. His sage advice and exceptional business sense was genuinely appreciated by everyone at FPE.

Those who had the pleasure and good fortune of working with Dick will remember him as highly intelligent, caring and (of course) very witty. His sense of humor will not be forgotten. Dick was a respected and likeable figurehead, and it was always such a pleasure to interact with him.

I can say it was a tremendous honor to have known him and worked with him. There are no words to describe the loss of Dick Bardos. He left a legacy that will always live on here at his company and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

Dick is survived by his wife Ruthe Bardos, his daughter Lori Wolff (FPE's Vice President/Controller) and her husband Jerry, his son David (President of FPE) and his wife Lori, his daughter Sally Nowak and her husband Ed (Value-added Services Project Manager at FPE), and seven grandchildren; Joey (Solution Specialist at FPE), Sean (Client Care Representative at FPE), Paula, Jamie, Dan, Mark and Ryan. Arrangements are still being made and will be shared as that information becomes available. Official announcements will also be provided by friends and family that will likely be more accurate and detailed than this (very un-official) blog post.

Update:David Bardos has announced this evening that Services will be held Friday, August 23rd at 12 p.m.
The Chapel
195 North Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL
(1 Block North of Lake Cook Rd)
Interment at Shalom Memorial Park

1 comment:

I had the pleasure of knowing Dick the past 25 years. He was a great man that showed me how to become a greater man myself in my life and in my work. His work ethic, empathy, sincerity, honesty, and sense of humor were all traits I admired and wanted to emulate. I will always remember him in my life, and will contunue to strive to be as great as he was. He was a father figure to me. I am deeply saddened at his passing. My prayers are with the whole Bardos family.